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For Columbus drivers, each new day brings a new round of traffic headaches.

For the city, each day brings a new batch of $95 tickets. More and more, the traffic cop
responsible for the tickets is a camera, 10 Investigates' Paul Aker reported.

The cameras catch people in the act, blowing through red lights and turning right on red without
stopping. The numbers show the program works. According to the city, the red lights
have drastically cut down on serious crashes.

A camera snapped a shot of Quinn last August. The city claimed that he drove through a red
light but Quinn denies it. He attended a hearing but when he got there, a traffic officer
told him that he had to pay a bond equal to the offense amount so he could have a hearing.

According to Columbus policy, a driver has to pay $95 to have a hearing. If the driver
does not pay, he or she loses. If he or she pays late, the payment rises to $120 and the
driver could wind up at collections.

Reluctantly, Quinn paid the fee. The hearing officer found that he was not guilty.

Even more insulting, some drivers said, is what happens after you prove you're innocent.
The city keeps your money for at least 60 to 90 days, Aker reported.

"I think the City of Columbus should be ashamed of itself," said Joshua Dressler, a nationally
renowned law professor, who has authored volumes of articles and textbooks on criminal law.

According to Dressler, the system violates a fundamental concept of American justice.

"This system turns everything on its head," Dressler said. "It basically requires a
citizen to prove himself or herself innocent of the infraction and requires them to effectively pay
the penalty just to get themselves into court."

The concern has sunk in with some other communities. While we found a few Ohio cities have
the upfront policy, 10 Investigates discovered other cities, like Cleveland, do not.

Toledo had a similar policy but changed it because it was considered legally questionable.

Columbus City Council President Mike Mentel was asked why he sponsored a law that required the
upfront payments.

"We are assuring people show up (to court)," Mentel said. "If they have the adequate
evidence, then the money will be returned to them."

Early on, Mentel seemed to think anyone who got a ticket must be guilty.

"If you don't want to face this problem at all, don't run a red light," Mentel said.

After Aker told Mentel of cases like Stills, Mentel seemed to have a change of heart.

"Let's get it done," Mentel said. "Let's not have a debate and talk about it. Let's
get it corrected. Let's help this lady. Let's help other people in her
circumstance."

If Mentel follows through, he might be able to put the brakes on criticism coming from people
who had to pay for their day in court.

George Speaks, the city's Deputy Public Safety Director, said that there are benefits to the
system. He said that red light tickets don't cost drivers any points against their license
and there are no court costs.

Tuesday at 6 p.m., we will look at how an Ohio state senator escaped paying up front.